If you are thinking about visiting the UAE during your next vacation, it is an excellent choice to consider. The UAE has a lot to offer in terms of various sight-seeing places, a unique cultural experience with sumptuous Middle Eastern cuisine, beautiful music and art and amazing places to shop. You will be rewarded with memories that would last a lifetime.

About UAE
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven constituent emirates which include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Um al-Quwain and Ras al-Kamiah. The country is highly developed and is well known for its immense wealth and economic power primarily due to the rich oil reserves that it has. The major religion practiced is Islam and languages spoken include primarily Arabic (the official language) and English.

Why should you travel to the UAE?

Dubai
Dubai has a lot to offer- numerous places to sight see, luxury accommodation, a great night life with fantastic nightclubs, rich gourmet restaurants, and attractive shopping malls.

It is home to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, an engineering marvel. You are offered a breath-taking view of Dubai from the 124th floor, where you can click jaw-dropping photographs.
You have not truly seen Dubai till you witness the Dubai fountains located on the Burj Khalifa lake . The fountain is a visual treat and is choreographed to sync with lights and music.

For, the adventurous folks, the ultimate Dubai experience is incomplete without the popular Dubai Desert Safari. There are several tour companies that offer packages for this trip. You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the border of Oman. The drivers are extremely skilled and offer thrilling rides over the sand dunes, an activity which is called ‘dune bashing”. The ride would be unforgettable and a complete adrenaline rush.

A great way to spend the night includes a walk along the famed Dubai marina. One can witness a cluster of glittering skyscrapers along the skyline and luxury yachts docked at the bay.

The Dubai mall is enormous, one of the largest of its kind in the world. The architecture is marvellous . The mall has fantastic shops and restaurants to choose from and it is a great way to spend a couple of days.
A visit to the Gold souk in Dubai is fun even if one is not shopping for gold. The prices here are the lowest in the world and the gold is genuine. So a walk is through the shops lining the souk is a must if you visit Dubai.

Some highly recommended tourists attractions are
-Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which finally opened in 2007 after being under construction for 20 years. It is made completely out of marble and has intricate carvings and designs. Entry is free for everyone.
-Heritage village, which offers a glimpse into life in the Emirates before the oil exploration and boom.
-The observation deck, which is the highest point from where you can see the entire city.
-Emirates zoo, which is home to various wildlife species and is a fun place especially for kids.

General tips
– Respect local customs and dress modestly.
– Ask for permission before photographing people and in religious places
– Travel insurance is recommended
– The local currency is Dirham and is easily exchangeable for foreign currency.
– Make a note of local emergency numbers.